“Gross!” she heard one of the cat creatures yowl. “Look at this disgusting thing.”
Gemma’s mouth dropped open when she realized it was talking about her.
“A human female,” another said, distaste evident in her voice.
“Grab them and let’s go,” said the one who had to be in charge. “The commander wants them brought to her immediately.”
“I knew a female would be in charge,” Juston muttered. “They’re vicious creatures that delight in ignoring rational thought.”
Gemma took in the information and used it to adjust her probabilities. The plan could still work, provided the brothers had their powers intact. As they were led off the Vartik vessel, Gemma scanned the ship around her, taking in as much data as she could.
It wasn’t long before they were shuffled into a large chamber that was dominated by a massive steel seat. On that seat was perched a Vanfian wearing a jewel-studded collar and a tight jumpsuit that hugged her feline curves.
They were forced to kneel before the chair and Gemma took her position, noticing that the Vartiks had to be forced to kneel by physical blows.Boys will be boys, I suppose.
The commander clapped her hands, rising from her seat and drawing closer. “Two Vartiks for the price of one!”
Gemma watched as the feline put a claw under Cal’s chin to lift his gaze to hers. “Two strong and healthy Vartik males should please the king and make my fortune.”
“After you pay your informant, of course,” Gemma said.
Yellow eyes bored into her, and Gemma wondered if she’d spoken too soon. She wasn’t sure how long they’d have before the torture she’d been warned of started, so she figured she’d get started immediately, hoping to catch them off guard.
“What’s this?” the feline snarled, her face wrinkling in revulsion.
“A human female,” one of her guards replied.
“Eww,” the commander replied. “How did she get here?”
“The Vartiks had her.”
The commander shook her head, her face honestly confused. “But why?”
Cal spoke. “Pleasure slave.”
This was something they’d discussed before the Vanfians arrived. It was important that the cats think she was unimportant, something beneath them.
The Vanfian female looked disbelieving. “Thisthing? You fuck this thing?”
Cal tried hard not to react, but Gemma could see the tightness around his eyes. “She’s not bad. Not up to the stamina and skill of the legendary Vanfian females, of course, but well enough to pass away a bored hour.”
Gemma acted unhurt, even though his words were grating. She knew he was just acting, but she still itched to slap him for the insult.
The feline looked incredulous, but the answer seemed satisfactory enough. “Tell your slave not to speak to me.”
“Well, you see, she’s not a very obedient slave,” Juston replied.
“Nor very smart,” Cal added, and Gemma decided that she would slap him later anyway, even if he was acting.
Gemma shrugged. “Sure, I might not be smart about most things, but a pleasure slave knows a thing or two about money. And you said you’d gotten two males at the price of one, which means you owe someone for the information that caught them.”
The feline crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “What of it, human? These two will net me a fortune. I can afford to pay.”
Gemma gave a sad shake of the head. “Sure, but what if your informant doubles the price? You did get more than you’d bargained for.”
The Vanfian’s ears twitched. “Stop speaking. My informant isn’t as obsessed with money as you are.”
“Ah, so he craves power instead. Smart informant.”
